Pursuing Desires
She’s content spending each day caring for her calf, grazing, munching a mouthful of hay, or chewing her cud. That is, until Papa shows up with her favorite treat in hand. That’s when “Sopracciglia Bianca” (Italian for …
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Who Painted My Cow?
Sometimes curiosity wins. Our church’s youth group worked hard in the intense Texas heat to scrape and paint the Cross-Dubya’s pipe fencing over the two days they were here. As the team shared, listened, learned and …
Outside the Wire
On the lam. Off the reservation. Outside the wire. Any time a rancher hears these three words, or worse, a rancher’s wife early Sunday morning, it’s going to be a long day. All these phrases mean …
Culling the Herd
As much as I try to forget this when caring for our livestock, ranching is a business; and sometimes circumstances require tough business decisions. Like any business venture, good managers look at data, consider profit and …
Life’s Muddy Boots
God most definitely has a sense of humor. I think it’s His way of reminding us He controls everything in our lives and we should humble ourselves. After posting a photo of what happens when new …
The Sweet Smell of Decay
Mowing the grass one summer evening, I’m gripped by the sweet, pungent smell wafting through the air. Pushing forward on the levers, I encourage my mower to move quicker toward the aroma. It’s captivating. The fragrant …
My Corkscrewed Clown
A few months after delivering her first calf, my clown-faced cow “Lulu Belle” developed a debilitating foot problem called corkscrew claw. Thought to be hereditary, this Saler-Hereford cross is one of my favorite brood cows and …
Ordering My Steps
Snakes are plentiful this year; and like last year, they’ve bitten my pal “Bubba the Chocolate Lab” four times already; including twice in one day. You would think he would’ve learned by now to keep his …
Those Nasty No See Ums
When April rolls around and days are warmer, they emerge; fleas, flies, ticks, gnats, skeeters, bark scorpions, snakes, and yes No See Ums. Smaller even than most midges, No See Ums are microscopic little blood-sucking biting …
Finding Your Way Home
“Rocky” the calf (yep, old “milk-mouth” himself) is a pain in the tuchus. A few weeks ago, he decided he would slip through a loose area in the fence between pastures and go visit the fellas …